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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you. Call us at 650-364-6060 to schedule your own consultation.

A. Cosmetic Surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective.

Reconstructive Surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

A. Cosmetic surgery and aesthetic procedures are not covered by your health insurance. There are certain Plastic and Reconstructive surgery procedures that do quality for coverage. Procedures such as Breast Reconstruction following mastectomy are covered by your medical insurance. There are a number of "gray areas" in coverage for plastic surgery that require special consideration by your insurance carrier. This usually involves procedures that may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient's particular situation. Certain procedures may be covered, such as Breast Reduction. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, we will assist you in identifying what may or may not be covered. If a procedure is covered by your insurance, the office will bill the insurance company for you. You may be asked to pay an estimate of the co-pay, prior to surgery.

A. There are certain procedures that qualify for insurance coverage. Patients who are members of HMO plans must be "referred" by your primary care physician to Dr. Papalian in order to have your treatment covered. Patients with PPO or Tiered plans may be seen and treated at The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside. The office participates with most major PPO plans. Please contact the office for current information regarding participation. Patients who are members of PPO or Tiered plans in which we do not participate may still be seen and treated in the office. You will have higher out-of-pocket expenses. Please contact your insurance company for information.

A. While cosmetic surgery should not represent a financial burden, we recognize that some patients may require short term financing in order to achieve their goals. In an effort to make plastic surgery more accessible for everyone, The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside does offer certain financing options through CareCredit. Please contact the office for details on which plans are offered. For more information please visit our Financing and Fees section.

A. It is common for Dr. Papalian to perform multiple procedures during one operation. This often allows for better "sculpting" of your final appearance. In addition, having several procedures performed simultaneously can reduce the expenses of the operating room and anesthesia compared to having procedures performed individually. The decision to have multiple procedures performed simultaneously will depend on which procedures are being performed, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age/health. This decision is best made together with Dr. Papalian. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, your safety is the primary concern.

A. During your consultation, Dr. Papalian will review your medical history with you. There are no fixed rules regarding the need to undergo pre-operative testing. However, at The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, your safety is our primary concern. If your medical history or the extent of the procedure warrants, "medical clearance" and/or pre-operative testing will be required. We will coordinate as needed with your primary care physician to have results available prior to your pre-operative appointment with Dr. Papalian.

A. Your consultation with Dr. Papalian begins your professional relationship with The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, when you learn what plastic surgery procedures or cosmetic treatments can do for you. For patients interested in a cosmetic surgical procedure, the comprehensive consultation process will last approximately one hour. Dr. Papalian will discuss which treatment options are most appropriate for you given all of your circumstances. The fee for your Cosmetic Consultation is $100 and will be credited toward your procedure.

A. Which filler is right for you is best determined together with Dr. Papalian. There are four general categories for dermal and sub-dermal fillers: collagen based products, hyaluronic acid fillers, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid for lipoatrophy. Different areas of the face and characteristics of a fold or wrinkle will have an associated product that is best suited for treating that particular area or wrinkle. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, we offer all of the different product categories. Dr. Papalian will individualize your filler program to your particular findings and needs. Extensive knowledge of facial and tissue characteristics is essential in determining which product or combination of products is best for you and this determination is only possible after consultation. Dr. Papalian will personally perform your injection. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, we offer topical and local anesthetics as well as nerve blocks for your comfort during injection.

A. In the new era of plastic surgery, laser technology has brought about the widest array of options for both patients and physicians. Rejuvenation of the face, neck and hands with lasers is now possible. Laser technology does not replace surgical procedures, but rather offers alternatives. The decision of which laser technology is right for you is best determined together with Dr. Papalian. Surface pigment irregularities and "age spots" can be treated with non-ablative lasers with shorter recovery times. Patients with deeper wrinkles will benefit most from fractional ablative treatments. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, we offer both ablative and non-ablative alternatives as well as fractional resurfacing with Fraxel re:store and Fraxel re:pair. Dr. Papalian has determined that the most critical decision to a successful outcome is individualizing the procedure to your specific findings and recovery requirements, and therefore he has elected to offer a wide range of alternatives.

A. Photographs are an extremely important part of Dr. Papalian's practice at the The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside. Digital photographs serve as an educational tool for patients and allow Dr. Papalian to track a patient's progress through surgical and non-surgical procedures. Dr. Papalian does not post patient photographs online in the interest of protecting patient privacy. In the Atherton, Woodside, Menlo Park and Palo Alto areas, patient privacy and confidentiality is paramount and completely respected at The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside. However, many of Dr. Papalian’s patients have graciously completed photographic consent forms giving permission to use their photos for educational purposes. Therefore, during your consultation patients will have an opportunity to view presentations of before/after photographs of Dr. Papalian’s patients in the privacy of the consultation room. If you are a prospective patient wishing to view photographs without a consultation, please feel free to schedule time to view presentations with the staff.

A. Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are certified only by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). ABPS is one of the 24 specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only ABMS board which certifies in the full spectrum of the specialty of plastic surgery of the entire body. Additionally, only surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery are eligible for membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). By choosing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for your cosmetic procedure, you can be certain that your doctor has the required training and education to perform your procedure.

A. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, your safety and a successful outcome are paramount to the practice. Dr. Papalian performs his procedures requiring moderate sedation or general anesthesia at fully accredited facilities. Dr. Papalian performs his outpatient cosmetic surgery procedures and certain outpatient insurance-based procedures at the Plastic Surgery Center in Palo Alto. Cosmetic procedures requiring overnight hospital stays will typically be performed at the Menlo Park Surgical Hospital. Major insurance-based procedures, requiring hospital stays are performed at Sequoia Hospital. For your safety, all anesthesia providers are physicians, not nurse anesthetists, who will carefully monitor you during your procedure.

A. Often referred to as the Chief-of-Staff, Dr. Papalian has twice been elected by his peers as the President of the Professional Staff at Sequoia Hospital. While serving as President of the Professional Staff, Dr. Papalian was responsible for quality oversight of the physicians. Professionalism and safety are paramount to Dr. Papalian’s practice, which has been recognized by the community of fellow physicians in his election to this honored position.

A. Patients from all over California, other states and even Europe have identified Dr. Papalian as the plastic surgeon they chose to perform their procedure. At The Plastic Surgery Center on Woodside, close coordination and assistance is provided to all patients. Dr. Papalian will provide you with all the information needed to plan your stay and timing for a return home after a successful procedure. The staff will coordinate your stay and assist in all necessary arrangements.